Cumberland Council is pleased to announce the successful relocation of the historic Lawson’s Monument, returning it to its original home in Court Square and restoring an important piece of Carlisle’s heritage.
Originally located in Court Square, Lawson’s Monument was moved in 1936 during the construction of underground public toilets. Its reinstatement forms an early milestone in the £40.5 million Carlisle Station Gateway Project, which is reshaping the area around Carlisle Railway Station into a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space for residents, visitors, and commuters.
The Carlisle Station Gateway Project is supported by £27 million from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, funded by the UK and Scottish Governments. Further support was confirmed in December when the Department for Transport allocated £13.504 million to Network Rail as a capped contribution to the partnership project with Cumberland Council. This funding extends the project’s overall budget and enables key elements to move forward including station accessibility improvements and interior works.
Across the city centre, more than £100 million is being invested in regeneration schemes to improve the visitor experience, increase footfall, support businesses and create greener and more accessible spaces and places, with UK Government funding provided through the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deal and Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal initiative. This includes the Carlisle Southern Gateway project at English Street, where surfacing works are underway. Paving works on the east side are due for completion by the end of this week (w/c 9 February), allowing hoardings to be removed.
From Wednesday 18 February, barriers will be installed around The Historic Well, discovered during excavation works near the Citadel in January 2025. The footway will be temporarily closed while improvement works take place, with a signed diversion for pedestrians. The Historic Well is set to be incorporated into the final pavement design, allowing pedestrians to view this newly uncovered historic feature, along with interpretation that will explain its history.
Works in this area are scheduled to finish in early March, subject to site and weather conditions, with bus stops on English Street expected to reopen when the works are completed.
The reinstatement of Lawson’s Monument reflects the balance of preserving Carlisle’s heritage while delivering an ambitious programme of modernisation. The Carlisle Station Gateway Project began in 2023 and will continue through to 2027, delivering phased improvements across the station.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Lawson’s Monument is a special part of Carlisle’s heritage, and it is fantastic to see it returned to its original setting in Court Square. This is a beautiful piece of our city’s history, and its relocation is an exciting symbol of the wider transformation taking place.
“The Carlisle Station Gateway Project will dramatically improve how people experience our city, creating cleaner, greener, better‑connected spaces for everyone.
“I would like to thank Cumberland Council’s project team, for their determination in making this possible and Story Contracting Ltd and their staff for their professionalism and care in delivering the complex move safely and successfully.”
Cumberland Councillor Anne Quilter, Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This is very exciting news for Carlisle. Lawson’s Monument has been part of our city’s story for almost two centuries, and its return to Court Square brings that history back into the daily life of the city.
“The area has always been an important place for our community, and the recent discovery of the historic well adds another fascinating chapter to that story.
“These finds remind us that Carlisle’s heritage is all around us, often right beneath our feet. By integrating these historic features into our modern spaces, we’re making sure they can be enjoyed, appreciated and celebrated by everyone for years to come.”
